Handle and finish attachment for a container

ABSTRACT

A container and handle assembly includes a container having a neck, and an attachment formed separately from the container and assembled thereto. The attachment includes a handle and an integrally formed ring, the ring being split and having ring portions adapted to be separated to fit the ring over the neck and to be secured together to embrace the neck for mounting the handle assembly to the container. The handle includes a pair of overlapping handle portions, each secured to a respective ring portion. The overlapping handle portions may be snap fit together for securing the attachment to the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to plastic containers having handles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers for flowable products, such as liquids and granular products,have been formed of plastic by a variety of methods. For example,plastic containers have been blow molded to provide an integralcontainer body, neck finish and handle. Other plastic containers havebeen formed with an integral container body and neck finish, and aseparate handle attached to the container body and/or finish. Stillother plastic containers have been formed by positioning an integralhandle and neck finish in a blow mold (for a container body), wherebyduring blowing of the container body (from a separate preform) thehandle and the neck finish become attached to the container body.

In some instances, it may be desirable to form the container body in ablow mold without the handle being present so that the blow mold can bemore simple in design, e.g., does not require recesses or pockets toform or hold the handle. It also may be desirable to use a differentplastic material for the handle (than for the container body) forreasons such as strength, color, aesthetics or cost. It may further bedesirable to provide a handle attached at the neck rather than the bodyof the container, for ease of pouring and/or one-handed use of thecontainer and handle assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a container andhandle assembly is provided which includes a container having a neck,and an attachment, formed separately from the container, and assembledthereto. The attachment includes a handle having an integrally formedattachment ring for embracing the neck and mounting the handle to thecontainer. The attachment ring is split and has ring portions adapted tobe separated to fit the ring over the neck and to be secured together toembrace the neck.

In various embodiments, the ring is split at a position overlying thehandle. The handle has two overlapping portions, each handle portionbeing attached to a different one of the ring portions. The ringportions preferably have ends with mating alignment members, such as asloped projection slidable in a complementary sloped recess. The ringportions are resiliently movable to allow opening and closing of thering. The overlapping handle portions have interengagement members, suchas locking snaps, for holding the ring in a closed position.

Preferably, the split ring has an attachment element for securing aclosure or fitment to the container, such as a portion of a thread beador flange. Also preferably, the split ring is positioned between upperand lower radial neck flanges, which prevent axial movement of the neckring (with respect to the vertical axis of the container) when thehandle is grasped by a user.

In one embodiment, a channel is provided on one ring portion, forreceiving a portion of the handle portion attached to the other ringportion when the ring is closed. This also facilitates alignment of thetwo ring portions.

The container neck and attachment may be made of any plastic material,and it may be made of different plastic materials. For example, thecontainer neck, as well as the entire container, may be made ofpolyethylene terephthalate, while the finish ring is made ofpolypropylene. In one embodiment, an integral blow molded andsubstantially transparent PET beverage container is provided with theattached handle and finish attachment.

In another embodiment, a method is provided of assembling a handleattachment to a neck of a container. The method includes providing acontainer having a neck, providing an attachment formed separately fromthe container, the attachment including a handle having an integrallyformed attachment ring, the attachment ring being split and having ringportions adapted to be separated. The method further includes openingthe ring by separating the ring portions and positioning the open ringover an external surface of the container neck. The method furtherincludes closing the ring by bringing together the ring portions to forma closed ring that embraces the external surface of the neck.Preferably, the handle has overlapping portions with interengagementmembers on the overlapping portions, and the method further includesconnecting the interengagement members on the overlapping portions forsecuring the attachment to the container neck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will be understood from thefollowing description, the appended claims and the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective and fragmentary view of a container andhandle assembly, showing a handle and finish attachment assembled to theneck of a separate container, according to one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,illustrating the handle and finish attachment in an open condition andremoved from the container neck;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the handle and finish attachment, in anopen condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the interior of the handle and finishattachment in an open condition;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior of the handle and finishattachment in a closed condition;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the encircled areadesignated in FIG. 5, showing the finish ring and upper handle portionin an open condition;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the encircled areadesignated in FIG. 4, showing the finish ring and upper handle portionin a closed condition;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the handle and finish attachment in an opencondition;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the handle and finish attachment in a closedcondition; and

FIG.10 is a sectional view taken along lines 10-10 in FIG. 1, showingthe finish ring assembled to the container neck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring in more detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate anembodiment of a container and handle assembly 20, including a plasticcontainer 22 that is formed separately from a plastic handle and finishattachment 24, the latter being attachable to the container 22 after thecontainer is formed (e.g., post blow mold). The container 22 may besubstantially of any shape and material, such as a polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) beverage bottle or the like, to define an interiorvolume in which a product is to be received. The container 22 ispreferably blow molded, but may also be injection molded or the like.The handle and finish attachment 24 is formed separately from thecontainer 22, such as by an injection molding operation or the like. Thehandle and finish attachment 24 may be formed of a different plasticmaterial and/or color than the container 22, thereby increasing thechoice of materials available and potentially reducing the material costof the overall container and handle assembly. For example, the handleand finish attachment 24 may be formed of any suitable packagingmaterial such as polypropylene or the like. Also, providing the handleand finish attachment 24 separately from and after the container 22 isformed, simplifies the design of the container 22 and of the mold usedto make it.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the handle and finish attachment 24 is shownin an open condition and separate from the container. The attachment 24includes a split ring 26 integral with a handle 28. The split ring andhandle are movable between an open position as shown in FIGS. 2-4, and aclosed position as shown in FIG. 5. The ability to open and close thehandle and finish attachment is due to the resiliency of the split ring26, which allows relative movement between opposed first and second ringportions 40, 42 respectively. The opposed ring portions 40, 42 terminatein first and second ring ends 44 and 46 respectively, which preferablyinclude a mating alignment feature 56, 58 to facilitate closure of thering.

The handle 28 includes inner and outer overlapping handle portions 30,32 each connected to a different one of ring ends 44 and 46(respectively). These overlapping handle portions 30, 32 are provided atthe upper end of the handle, adjacent to the respective ring ends 44,46. The outer handle portion 32 includes a lower end 34 extending beyondthe length of the inner handle portion 30, and forms a gripping portionby which a user grasps the handle 28. The inner surface of grippingportion 34 may include ergonomic features such as ribbed finger recesses38.

The split ring 26 is substantially cylindrical and has an innercylindrical surface 25 which, when the ring is in the closed condition(FIG. 5), has a diameter slightly greater than an outer cylindricalsurface 73 of the container neck 70. FIG. 10 shows a cross section ofthe finish ring 26 assembled over the container neck 70, with theengaging inner and outer cylindrical surfaces 25 and 73, respectively.The ring 26 preferably sits between and engages a pair of spaced-apartupper and lower outwardly extending radial flanges 76, 71 on thecontainer neck. The upper neck flange 76 defines an open mouth of thecontainer, while the lower neck flange 71 defines a tamper indicatingbead or the like. The finish ring has an upper surface 21 which engagesa lower surface 75 of the upper neck flange 76, and a lower surface 23that engages an upper surface 77 of the lower neck flange 71. Thuspositioned, the ring will resist axial movement (with respect to themajor vertical axis of the container) when a user grasps the handle.

The split ring 26 has an outer cylindrical surface 27 with an attachmentelement, such as a thread, bead, flange or some portion thereof forsecuring a closure or fitment (not shown) to the finish. The presentembodiment has an external thread 50 for securing a closure (e.g., cap)to the container neck.

As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6-9, the ends 44, 46 of ringportions 40, 42 are engaged when the handle and finish attachment 24 isclosed (FIGS. 7 and 9). A pair of mating alignment members, here asloped projection 56 which fits within a complimentary-shaped slopedrecess 58, are provided on the first and second ring ends 44, 46. Thesealignment members assist in proper alignment and closure of the separatering ends; proper alignment may be of particular importance when thesplit in ring 26 also splits the thread 50 into two thread portions 52and 54 on ring portions 40 and 42 respectively.

The ring portions 40, 42 of split ring 26 are held together in a closedcondition by interengagement features on the first and second handleportions 30, 32. The interengagement features may be for example lockingsnaps, such as the two pairs of studs 37 a, b, shown here on the outerhandle portion 32 which fit within correspondingly shaped holes 35 a, b,in the inner handle portion 30. The overlapping handle portions 30, 32are positionable one above the other in the closed position (see FIG.5). A recess 33 is provided on the interior side of the outer handleportion 32 to accommodate the inner handle portion 30. In addition, achannel 41 is provided on an exterior surface of the ring near ring end44, the channel 41 extending between the lower neck flange 39 and thetop surface 31 of the lower handle portion 30 (see FIGS. 3 and 6). Thischannel receives at least a portion 43 of the upper handle 32, namelythe portion 43 which extends circumferentially beyond the second ringend 46 to which the upper handle portion is connected, thus enablingportion 43 to be slidably positionable and engaged in the channel 41when the handle portions 32, 30 overlap. The studs 37 on upper handleportion 32 can then be pushed into the holes 35 on lower handle portion30 to secure the first and second handle portions together, and therebyhold together the first and second ring ends 44, 46.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-2, the container 22 includes a blow-moldedbody 68 of any suitable shape, and a substantially cylindrical neck 70defining an open upper end and mouth portion of the container 22 throughwhich a product may be added to or discharged from the container 22. Ashoulder 72 is provided between the neck 70 and the body 68, and acut-out or recess 74 is provided in at least a portion of the body 68and shoulder 72 to provide a space for the user to grip the handle 28when assembled to the container. With the handle and finish attachment24 in an open condition and oriented with respect to the container 22 sothat the handle is centered in the recess 74, the ring portions 40, 42of the handle and finish attachment 24 are brought together around thecontainer neck 70, between the upper and lower neck flanges 76, 71. Thefinish ring 26 is resiliently closed and held shut by the studs/holes onthe handle portions. Additional features may be provided on thecontainer and/or attachment to prevent rotation of the handle and finishattachment 24 with respect to the container 22, to provide alignment ofthe attachment 24 and container 22, and/or to further secure theattachment 24 to the container 22. For example, mating projections andrecesses may be provided on the attachment and container, or portions ofthe attachment and container may be attached by adhesive or ultrasonicwelding.

There has thus been described an embodiment of a container and handleassembly, and a handle and finish attachment for such assembly, thatprovides various benefits. Forming a combined handle and finish ringattachment separately from the container enables the container to be ofa simpler design and permits the use of the standard blow molder.Providing a handle attachable to the container neck, rather than to thecontainer body, facilitates ease of pouring and handling of thecontainer assembly, e.g., one-handed pouring. Also, the handleattachment may be clamped onto the container with conventional packagingassembly equipment. The material used for the container body can bedifferent from the material used for the handle and finish attachment.Desirably, a less expensive material can be chosen for each part toprovide a more economical manufacture while still achieving the desiredfunctions. The handle and/or container finish may also be formed ofdifferent colors and by different methods than the container body, asdesired for a wide range of applications.

A number of modifications and variations will readily suggest themselvesto persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoingdescription. Directional words such as top, bottom, upper, lower,radial, circumferential, lateral, longitudinal and the like are employedby way of description and not limitation. The invention is intended toembrace all modifications and variations that fall within the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A container and handle assembly comprising: a container having aneck, and an attachment assembled to the container and being formedseparately therefrom, the attachment including a handle having anintegrally formed attachment ring for embracing the neck and mountingthe handle to the container, the attachment ring being split and havingring portions adapted to be separated to fit the ring over the neck andto be secured together to embrace the neck.
 2. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the ring is split at a position overlying the handle.
 3. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the handle has two overlapping handleportions, each handle portion being attached to a different one of thering portions.
 4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the overlappinghandle portions have interengagement members for holding the ring in aclosed position.
 5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the interengagementmembers are snap fit together.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein thering portions are resiliently movable to open and close the ring.
 7. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the ring portions have ends with matingalignment members.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the alignmentmembers comprise a sloped projection slidable in a complimentary slopedrecess.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the ring includes anattachment element for securing a closure or fitment.
 10. The assemblyof claim 9, wherein the attachment element is at least a portion of athread, bead or flange.
 11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein thecontainer neck has upper and lower outwardly extending radial flanges,and the ring is positioned between and engages the flanges.
 12. Theassembly of claim 3, wherein a channel is provided on one ring portionfor receiving, when the ring is closed, a part of the handle portionattached to the other ring portion.
 13. The assembly of claim 1, whereinthe container neck and the split ring have engaging outer and innercylindrical surfaces, respectively.
 14. The assembly of claim 1, whereinthe container neck is made of one plastic material, and the attachmentis made of a different plastic material.
 15. The assembly of claim 14,wherein the plastic material of the container neck is polyethyleneterephthalate and the plastic material of the attachment ispolypropylene.
 16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the containercomprises a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage container.
 17. Theassembly of claim 16, wherein the container comprises an integralblow-molded and substantially transparent PET beverage container.
 18. Amethod of assembling a handle attachment to a neck of a container,comprising: providing a container having a neck; providing an attachmentformed separately from the container, the attachment including a handlehaving an integrally formed attachment ring, the attachment ring beingsplit and having ring portions adapted to be separated; opening the ringby separating the ring portions and positioning the open ring over anexternal surface of the container neck, closing the ring by bringingtogether the ring portions to form a closed ring that embraces theexternal surface of the neck.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: the handle having overlapping handle portions withinterengagement members; and connecting the interengagement members onthe overlapping handle portions for securing the attachment to thecontainer neck.